Age Range: Grandkid - Grandparent. There is no age limit at this event! That said, games are competitive and the average age range is between 15-45.

Beneficiary: Proceeds from the 9th Annual Vermont Summer Classic benefit children and adults battling T1D (Type 1 diabetes), specifically those within Vermont and the New England area. T1D is a lethal, life-altering autoimmune disease which cannot be prevented and for which there is currently no cure.

On-site related questions:

Where do I park? – Free parking is available above Little Fenway and below Little Wrigley. Please follow the directional signs for instructions.

Is the facility handicap accessible? – Yes. The entire property is handicap accessible. Please be advised that paths leading to and from the fields are made of small bits of gravel.

Are there restrooms? – Yes. On the driveway leading to the entrance of Little Fenway there will be several port-a-johns. There is also one located below Little Wrigley.

Is there food available? – Yes. There will be multiple food vendors present at the tournament!

Can I bring my own food and drink? – Yes! However, we strongly encourage you to visit the vendors as they offer delicious food options and normally donate a portion of their sales!

The Story

SLAMT1D, Inc. will host its 9th Annual Vermont Summer Classic WIFFLE® Ball Tournament on Friday, June 28th through Saturday, June 29th 2019 at the famous Little Fenway complex in Essex Junction, VT.

The Tournament

Date: June 28-29, 2019. Opening and tournament games Friday and Saturday, with playoffs and championship game Saturday afternoon-evening

Location: Little Fenway, Essex, VT

Teams: Space is limited; only 18 teams. Anyone can play! Organize your own team with friends, an organization or your company! Fill out a Team Application by clickinghere

Team fundraising suggested minimum of $5,000

4 games guaranteed + playoffs for qualifying teams

Home Run Derby

Fields: Mini Fenway, Little Wrigley and Little Field of Dreams

Be a Game Changer: Help us support those living with T1D (Type 1 diabetes).

Backyard games with a Big League feel: umpires, play-by-play announcing, in-game music, great food and that warm fuzzy you get knowing you’re making a difference in the lives of those around you!

T1D (Type 1 diabetes) is a lethal, life-altering autoimmune disease that cannot be prevented and for which there is currently no cure. SLAMT1D, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization committed to changing the game for people living with T1D. We host grassroots sports tournaments that empower T1Ders to live life in full by broadening awareness about T1D; funding and aiding T1D camp organizations, camps and camperships; educational programs; peer-to-peer support; and mentoring opportunities for T1Ders of all ages.

To put things into perspective, if someone is diagnosed with T1D at age 5, he or she will have to administer roughly 24,000 insulin injections just to reach the age of 18. That is 5 shots per day. Now, add that number to the nearly 40,000 finger pricks (that's right, another needle) that the same 18-year old has inflicted to check his or her blood sugar levels. These are just two of many aspects of living that people with T1D have to focus on to manage a “normal” life...but despite everything a T1Der or caregivers do, life is never normal.

As Joe Maddon, manager of the Chicago Cubs said, “Even though I had a player like Sam Fuld who has Type 1 diabetes, it wasn’t until I attended this SLAMT1D tournament that I realized how difficult and dangerous the disease is, and how much someone has to do just to stay alive. It really opened my eyes.”

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SLAMT1D WIFFLE® ball tournaments are an off-the-hook fun way for people with and without this awful disease to come together, raise awareness about T1D, and have a great time playing America’s favorite backyard game with an added Big League vibe. Since our first tournament in 2011, teams have raised over $370,000 that has helped launch awareness initiatives and tournaments from New England to Florida; fund camps and camperships; create and fund Vermont’s first weeklong overnight camp for kids with T1D; create and fund educational programs at UVM Children’s Hospital; provide Support Packs for newly diagnosed children in northern New England; and to develop peer-to-peer and mentoring opportunities for T1Ders of all ages.

Last year, fourteen teams competed and raised over $74,000! This year, 18 team spots are available and our total team fundraising goal is $100,000. Many teams from last year will be returning, so there are only a few spots open for new teams. Teams are guaranteed 4 games of tournament play, with an opportunity to make the playoffs via tournament play or Wild Card Lottery. Players and fans will enjoy game action with live play-by-play announcers, music, great food, awesome raffle prizes, and the signature Home Run Derby!